Principal Architect - Remote

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); Remote; USD 135,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Principal Architect to define target-state architecture and roadmaps for Finance and Procurement, guiding enterprise-scale modernization across Corporate Systems. The role supports AI-enabled transformations and governance to ensure scalable, cost-efficient solutions.

This remote position allows work from anywhere in the U.S., with Minneapolis or DC area offices required four days per week.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in enterprise architecture or technical leadership roles within large-scale enterprise environments.
• 5+ years supporting Corporate Systems, focusing on Finance and Procurement (ERP, financial management, source-to-pay).
• 5+ years managing vendor relationships, conducting technology evaluations, and architectural due diligence.
• 3+ years establishing architecture guardrails, reference architectures, governance standards, and portfolio rationalization frameworks.
• 2+ years leveraging enterprise-approved AI tools or automation technologies to streamline analysis and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive architecture strategy, target-state architecture, and multi-year roadmaps across Finance and Procurement, with broader Corporate Systems support.
• Lead architectural due diligence and technology assessments for vendor solutions, validating capabilities and long-term value.
• Serve as trusted advisor translating strategic objectives into executable roadmaps while providing risk assessment and decision support.
• Support large-scale transformation initiatives, including AI-enabled workflows across Corporate Systems platforms.
• Evaluate and apply enterprise-approved AI capabilities, automation technologies, and emerging trends to inform decisions.
• Establish and enforce architecture guardrails, governance standards, and reference architectures to drive portfolio rationalization and reduce debt.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to solution architects and engineering teams across cross-domain initiatives.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Technical leadership

Vendor management

Architecture governance

AI capabilities evaluation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Tools

TOGAF

SAFe

Job description

Improve the lives of others while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Job Description - Principal Architect - Remote (2375656)

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Principal Architect within Corporate Systems, you will serve as a strategic architecture advisor defining target-state architecture and technology roadmaps primarily across Finance and Procurement platforms, while supporting broader Corporate Systems domains (HR, LCRA, Marketing) as needed. In this role, you will provide critical "checks and balances" through architectural due diligence, vendor solution assessments, and capability validation before contracts and commitments are finalized. You will evaluate and apply enterprise-approved AI capabilities, automation technologies, and emerging trends to drive large-scale enterprise transformation and agentic workflow modernization. Working closely with business and technology leadership, you will align application and data architectures with enterprise capabilities to ensure scalable, cost-effective, and resilient technology solutions.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week. Preference for MN and CT

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and drive architecture strategy, target-state architecture, and multi-year technology roadmaps primarily across Finance and Procurement platforms, while supporting broader Corporate Systems domains (such as HR, LCRA, and Marketing) as needed
• Lead architectural due diligence and technology assessments for vendor solutions, validating platform capabilities, implementation feasibility, architectural fit, and long-term business value before contracts are finalized
• Serve as a trusted architecture advisor to business and technology leaders, translating strategic objectives into executable technology roadmaps while providing objective architectural guidance, risk assessment, and decision support
• Support large-scale business and technology transformation initiatives, including AI-enabled and agentic workflow modernization across Corporate Systems platforms
• Evaluate and apply enterprise-approved AI capabilities, automation technologies, and emerging technology trends to inform architecture decisions and business transformation strategies
• Establish and enforce architecture guardrails, governance standards, and reference architectures to drive portfolio rationalization, simplify integration strategy, and reduce technical debt
• Use enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate technical analysis, and drive continuous architectural process improvement
• Provide technical leadership, strategic guidance, and mentorship to solution architects and engineering teams across cross-domain initiatives

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, software engineering, or technical leadership roles within large-scale enterprise environments, including defining target-state architectures, integration strategies, and multi-year technology roadmaps
• 5+ years of domain expertise supporting Corporate Systems, with a primary focus on Finance and Procurement platforms (ERP, financial management, source-to-pay)
• 5+ years of experience managing vendor technical relationships, conducting technology evaluations, software selection processes, and architectural due diligence to assess platform fit, feasibility, and business value
• 3+ years of experience establishing architecture guardrails, reference architectures, governance standards, and enterprise portfolio rationalization frameworks
• 2+ years of experience leveraging enterprise-approved AI tools, productivity automation technologies, or emerging AI capabilities to streamline technical analysis, documentation, and architectural decision-making

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field
• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise transformation programs, including AI-enabled and agentic workflow modernizations
• Experience working in highly regulated environments such as healthcare or financial services
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies (e.g., TOGAF, SAFe)

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $134,600 - $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline:

This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1-866-566-8715 to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

UnitedHealth Group is a registered service mark of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The UnitedHealth Group name with the dimensional logo, as well as the dimensional logo alone, are both service marks for the UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.